I compared Costco locations in the city and the suburbs. Here were the biggest differences.

Gabbi ShawOct 4, 2024, 21:43 IST

The first Costco in Manhattan opened in 2009.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider<ul class="summary-list"><li>As a New York City resident, I've been hesitant about becoming a <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/costco">Costco</a> member.</li><li>I finally joined over the summer and decided to compare city and suburb locations.</li></ul>When I was a kid on Long Island, New York, I grew up going to a wholesale club with my parents: <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/costco-vs-bjs-review-families-better-shopping-experience-photos-2024">BJ's</a>.I loved running around the store and was always shocked by how it seemed to <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/costco-superfan-why-i-love-costco-prices-cruise-hearing-aids-2024-8">carry anything you could ever want</a>. Then, when I was in college in New Orleans, I'd tag along with friends to the <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/costco-first-store-opened-vintage-photos-2019-2">Costco</a> there, which was just as fun to wander around.Over the summer, I finally signed up to Costco myself, joining the 2.5 million other millennials and Gen-Zers who have decided <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-latest-hot-club-is-costco-2024-7">it's the newest "hottest club."</a><a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/costco-members-getting-younger-gen-z-millennial-shoppers-choose-wholesale-2024-9">Costco's CFO Gary Millerchip</a> said in September that half of its new members over the last year are under 40. As Business Insider's Dominick Reuter noted, the younger generation is more concerned with finding deals and saving money than ever before.I now live in New York City and, after joining Costco, assumed I would order products online. That was before I learned there was a Costco in Manhattan. I couldn't quite grasp the concept of Costcos — which are more common in suburban areas — in the city: How could you transport the giant bulk items without a car?Still, I needed to know: Is a New York City Costco the same as the suburban Costco I've visited in the past? Did both locations sell the same items? And would I see people on the city streets lugging giant packs of toilet paper?In September, I paid two Costcos a visit: the one in East Harlem, and one in the Long Island town of Westbury.Here's what it was like to shop at both locations.

There are eight Costco locations on Long Island. I visited the Westbury location, which is about 33 miles outside New York City.

The Westbury location is one of eight on Long Island, and one of 19 in New York State.Google Maps

When I arrived, I was struck by just how large — and full — the parking lot was. I went on a Tuesday in the middle of the day, and it was a zoo.

I had to park rows and rows away from the entrance.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

The shopping carts were in front of an attached but separate liquor store. In New York, grocery stores can't sell hard alcohol.

This location also has a tire center.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

After flashing my membership card and being waved in by an employee, I saw just how large this location is. It felt like an airplane hangar.

For how busy it was, it didn't feel that crowded.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

One of the first sections you see when you walk in is the technology section with laptops and tablets.

If you wanted to buy a big-ticket item, you needed to speak to an associate.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

There are also plenty of huge TVs.

The TVs ranged in price.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

From across the floor, I could see a hearing-aid center, which I didn't even know Costco had.

Costcos typically have pharmacies, too.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

This location was also offering flu shots.

It can be cheaper to buy an Apple product at Costco, and it has a better return policy.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

I wandered through the aisles, struck by how huge this place and its products were.

The aisles felt endless.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

There was a display of gift cards for well-known brands like AMC, Instacart, and DoorDash, and there was also a Topgolf section. There is one Topgolf location on Long Island.

I've never seen so many gift cards.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

There was a display of gift cards for well-known brands like AMC, Instacart, and DoorDash, and there was also a Topgolf section. There is one Topgolf location on Long Island.

In the center of the store was the clothing section. It seemed endless, with sweaters, jackets, pants, activewear, and more.

Unfortunately, there's nowhere to try them on, so you have to eyeball everything.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

I was immediately drawn to the Costco merch. I ended up purchasing a sweatshirt for $19.99.

I bought the gray one.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

The furniture section was also in the center. However, according to Costco devotees, the store's layout changes constantly, making shopping there like a "treasure hunt."

I can't imagine how this works.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

The furniture section was also in the center. However, according to Costco devotees, the store's layout changes constantly, making shopping there like a "treasure hunt."

I was taken aback to see that a giant couch was for sale. Would I find the same selection of furniture at the Manhattan store?

There were couches, recliners, bookcases, desks, TV stands, and more.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Nearby was a large table filled with books — I didn't even know Costco sold books.

I might start buying my books solely from Costco.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

It wasn't just dingy paperbacks, either. I could've bought the Pulitzer Prize winner "Demon Copperhead" for $12.99. The same book is $21.99 at Barnes and Noble.

There was also a variant of the romantasy novel "Fourth Wing" I'd never seen before.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

There was a sizable outdoor section with tents, firepits, a blow-up tub, and more.

Costco is a one-stop shop for a backyard oasis.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Another surprise was the garden section. There were rows of trees, mums, and other flowers.

I wanted to buy some flowers, but you had to purchase a four-pack, which I didn't need.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

There were even delicately wrapped orchids.

Orchids can be expensive, so $21.99 is a good price.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

And, of course, as it's officially fall, there were bins and bins of pumpkins.

One of the pumpkin bins had a reference to Charlie Brown's Halloween special.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Fittingly, the Halloween costumes were nearby. There weren't that many options to choose from.

It was mainly unlicensed costumes, like astronauts or firefighters.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

But the decor is where Costco really shines. I walked by a 7-foot-tall werewolf and almost jumped.

This cost $249.99.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

There was more candy than at Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.

Chocolate as far as the eye can see.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

There was also a lot of Disney merchandise for Halloween, which I didn't expect.

There were clocks, figurines, and more.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

For example, there were huge "Nightmare Before Christmas" plushies. That's my hand for scale.

There were Jack Skellington and Sally plushies.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Even though it was only September when I visited, a lot of Christmas decorations were already out.

This Christmas village retails at $129.99.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Like, a lot.

There were lawn reindeer, multiple trees, blow-up snowmen, and more.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

There were also lawn ornaments, like this 3-foot penguin.

It even lit up.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

If you ever need to wrap presents, Costco is the place to go.

Even though it was 75 degrees out when I went, I was somehow ready for Christmas after walking down this aisle.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

As I made my way toward the back of the store, I started seeing more food and drinks, like these crates of beer.

If I had a garage and was throwing a giant party, I could see how this might be cost-effective.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

There's a bakery, a rotisserie section, a deli, and another meat section at the back of this location.

Costco is known for its food.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

There are aisles and aisles of meat products.

Items here would be better suited for a family of four or more.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

I am a single person who lives with a roommate. It would take us months to get through all of this pork shoulder.

More likely, it would go bad before we could eat it all.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

I have a car available on Long Island, so it would be relatively easy and quick for me to transport all this refrigerated food home — but not in NYC.

Carrying around frozen or refrigerated groceries in the city can be difficult. It's why I normally get groceries delivered.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

I turned around to see just how big the store was once more. This is only half of it.

I was surprised when I finally reached the back of the store.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

And I didn't even mention the separate produce room.

It was colder in there than the rest of the store.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

That's where there were crates of fruits and veggies. The large containers of strawberries would rot before I could eat them all.

I couldn't believe how much food I was seeing.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

There's also a milk and eggs room. This area was particularly crowded during my visit.

It was surrounded by toilet paper, which was also flying off the shelves.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

As I exited with my meager single bag of purchases — a sweatshirt, a book, a pack of cookies, ornaments, and a box of egg bites — I wondered how I would fare at the NYC location.

These ornaments were one of my favorite purchases.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

As I exited with my meager single bag of purchases — a sweatshirt, a book, a pack of cookies, ornaments, and a box of egg bites — I wondered how I would fare at the NYC location.

As I walked to my car, I noticed people loading up their trunks with cartfuls of items. Would — and could — people be doing that in the city, too?

Could they fill up a taxi or Uber with bags?Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

A week later, I visited the East Harlem Costco, one of four Costcos in New York City. There's another one in Brooklyn and two in Queens.

It's on 117th Street, across the river from Randall's Island.Google Maps

As I walked from the bus stop, I noticed people pushing their own carts, like this one, toward the store. That's the easiest way to transport groceries in NYC.

I've thought of buying my own one of these many times.rblfmr/Shutterstock

This Costco is located inside the East River Plaza, a shopping complex that opened in 2009.

The first thing I saw was this parking garage.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

It's a multi-level mall with an Aldi, Bob's Discount Furniture, and Planet Fitness.

I didn't realize this Costco was in a mall until I arrived.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

There is a parking garage that all shoppers share, but it's not free. According to the US Census' American Community Survey, just 22.7% of Manhattan households have a car anyway.

Parking was paid by the hour.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

There is a parking garage that all shoppers share, but it's not free. According to the US Census' American Community Survey, just 22.7% of Manhattan households have a car anyway.

I took the bus to get to Costco. On my way up, I was already thinking about how difficult it would be to transport multiple bulk items without a car.

I had to walk one-and-a-half longer avenue blocks to get to the Costco.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

However, the view of the East River and Randall's Island was much nicer than the one I had on Long Island.

On a clear day, this would be downright beautiful.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Unlike at the location in the suburbs, I had to physically scan my membership card to get in. I was lucky it wasn't that busy since this could easily create a bottleneck at the entrance.

The stores were identical in aesthetic.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Unlike at the location in the suburbs, I had to physically scan my membership card to get in. I was lucky it wasn't that busy since this could easily create a bottleneck at the entrance.

The store was generally set up the same way as the Long Island location, down to the electronics section being the first thing I saw.

I'm not sure this section ever moves.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

There was an eyeglasses and eye-exam area, just like in Westbury.

This area was crowded.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

The gift cards were in the same spot, but there were different options. I spotted cards for Mighty Quinn's, a New York-based barbecue chain.

Mighty Quinn's was started in New York, but has expanded to other states.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

There were also gift cards for Subway and Crumbl, a cookie chain.

There are lots of Subway locations in NYC.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Walking around, I was struck by how annoying it would be to cart a case of water bottles back to my apartment. Plus, I didn't have space for them.

One of these would take up half my kitchen.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

The ceiling at this Costco was much lower, making it appear smaller, even though the location is 110,000 square feet.

The ceiling wasn't as cavernous.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

The furniture selection was much more limited than in the suburban store. There were only smaller pieces — there were no giant couches in sight.

I could only buy this from Costco if I got it shipped to me.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

This was the totality of the outdoor section: two types of lawn chairs.

This wasn't surprising to me, since most people don't have lawns to sit on.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

However, this Costco offered Jets and Giants merch, which the Long Island one did not.

There were hats, blankets, and lawn chairs.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

There was no plants section — just a small display of pre-made bouquets. It makes sense since most people in NYC don't have space to garden.

Costco had a good selection of flowers.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Both locations had Halloween decorations to choose from.

There were both Disney and Charlie Brown options.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

But there were some slight differences. This Mickey-shaped pumpkin was only for sale in NYC.

This cost $79.99.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

I found the Harlem costume selection to be similarly lacking.

Again, it was mostly generic costumes.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Christmas stuff was out here, too.

But there was smaller amount of items to choose from.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

The same ornaments I bought in Westbury were here, too — and for the same price.

Squishmallows are popular everywhere.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

There were the same separate rooms, like the produce room.

There was a bin filled with crushed cardboard in the center.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

And the dairy, milk, and eggs room.

This wasn't as crowded at the NYC Costco.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

The meat and bakery sections were almost identical. I even spotted the "cake box" that Costco fans love.

The bakery section at the NYC Costco had stacks of baked goods.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

This location had self-checkout, which I hadn't noticed at the Long Island store.

Only people with a few items could use self-checkout.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Overall, this store was smaller and lacked some items I'd seen in the suburbs, like big furniture, outdoor items, books, and plants. It makes sense that an urban store wouldn't stock most of these.

The exterior of the NYC Costco.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Overall, this store was smaller and lacked some items I'd seen in the suburbs, like big furniture, outdoor items, books, and plants. It makes sense that an urban store wouldn't stock most of these.

I'm seriously questioning my Costco membership now — I might keep it so I can get certain items shipped. But buying in bulk is difficult in NYC from both a transportation and storage perspective.

This box would take up almost half of a shelf in my kitchen.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

I'm seriously questioning my Costco membership now — I might keep it so I can get certain items shipped. But buying in bulk is difficult in NYC from both a transportation and storage perspective.

I shopped at Hobby Lobby and Michaels for fall decorations. I found deals at both, but one had way more Halloween spirit.

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I compared Costco locations in the city and the suburbs. Here were the biggest differences.

There are eight Costco locations on Long Island. I visited the Westbury location, which is about 33 miles outside New York City.

When I arrived, I was struck by just how large — and full — the parking lot was. I went on a Tuesday in the middle of the day, and it was a zoo.

The shopping carts were in front of an attached but separate liquor store. In New York, grocery stores can't sell hard alcohol.

After flashing my membership card and being waved in by an employee, I saw just how large this location is. It felt like an airplane hangar.

One of the first sections you see when you walk in is the technology section with laptops and tablets.

There are also plenty of huge TVs.

From across the floor, I could see a hearing-aid center, which I didn't even know Costco had.

This location was also offering flu shots.

I wandered through the aisles, struck by how huge this place and its products were.

There was a display of gift cards for well-known brands like AMC, Instacart, and DoorDash, and there was also a Topgolf section. There is one Topgolf location on Long Island.

In the center of the store was the clothing section. It seemed endless, with sweaters, jackets, pants, activewear, and more.

I was immediately drawn to the Costco merch. I ended up purchasing a sweatshirt for $19.99.

The furniture section was also in the center. However, according to Costco devotees, the store's layout changes constantly, making shopping there like a "treasure hunt."

I was taken aback to see that a giant couch was for sale. Would I find the same selection of furniture at the Manhattan store?

Nearby was a large table filled with books — I didn't even know Costco sold books.

It wasn't just dingy paperbacks, either. I could've bought the Pulitzer Prize winner "Demon Copperhead" for $12.99. The same book is $21.99 at Barnes and Noble.

There was a sizable outdoor section with tents, firepits, a blow-up tub, and more.

Another surprise was the garden section. There were rows of trees, mums, and other flowers.

There were even delicately wrapped orchids.

And, of course, as it's officially fall, there were bins and bins of pumpkins.

Fittingly, the Halloween costumes were nearby. There weren't that many options to choose from.

But the decor is where Costco really shines. I walked by a 7-foot-tall werewolf and almost jumped.

There was more candy than at Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.

There was also a lot of Disney merchandise for Halloween, which I didn't expect.

For example, there were huge "Nightmare Before Christmas" plushies. That's my hand for scale.

Even though it was only September when I visited, a lot of Christmas decorations were already out.

Like, a lot.

There were also lawn ornaments, like this 3-foot penguin.

If you ever need to wrap presents, Costco is the place to go.

As I made my way toward the back of the store, I started seeing more food and drinks, like these crates of beer.

There's a bakery, a rotisserie section, a deli, and another meat section at the back of this location.

There are aisles and aisles of meat products.

I am a single person who lives with a roommate. It would take us months to get through all of this pork shoulder.

I have a car available on Long Island, so it would be relatively easy and quick for me to transport all this refrigerated food home — but not in NYC.

I turned around to see just how big the store was once more. This is only half of it.

And I didn't even mention the separate produce room.

That's where there were crates of fruits and veggies. The large containers of strawberries would rot before I could eat them all.

There's also a milk and eggs room. This area was particularly crowded during my visit.

As I exited with my meager single bag of purchases — a sweatshirt, a book, a pack of cookies, ornaments, and a box of egg bites — I wondered how I would fare at the NYC location.

As I walked to my car, I noticed people loading up their trunks with cartfuls of items. Would — and could — people be doing that in the city, too?

A week later, I visited the East Harlem Costco, one of four Costcos in New York City. There's another one in Brooklyn and two in Queens.

As I walked from the bus stop, I noticed people pushing their own carts, like this one, toward the store. That's the easiest way to transport groceries in NYC.

This Costco is located inside the East River Plaza, a shopping complex that opened in 2009.

It's a multi-level mall with an Aldi, Bob's Discount Furniture, and Planet Fitness.

There is a parking garage that all shoppers share, but it's not free. According to the US Census' American Community Survey, just 22.7% of Manhattan households have a car anyway.

I took the bus to get to Costco. On my way up, I was already thinking about how difficult it would be to transport multiple bulk items without a car.

However, the view of the East River and Randall's Island was much nicer than the one I had on Long Island.

Unlike at the location in the suburbs, I had to physically scan my membership card to get in. I was lucky it wasn't that busy since this could easily create a bottleneck at the entrance.

The store was generally set up the same way as the Long Island location, down to the electronics section being the first thing I saw.

There was an eyeglasses and eye-exam area, just like in Westbury.

The gift cards were in the same spot, but there were different options. I spotted cards for Mighty Quinn's, a New York-based barbecue chain.

There were also gift cards for Subway and Crumbl, a cookie chain.

Walking around, I was struck by how annoying it would be to cart a case of water bottles back to my apartment. Plus, I didn't have space for them.

The ceiling at this Costco was much lower, making it appear smaller, even though the location is 110,000 square feet.

The furniture selection was much more limited than in the suburban store. There were only smaller pieces — there were no giant couches in sight.

This was the totality of the outdoor section: two types of lawn chairs.

However, this Costco offered Jets and Giants merch, which the Long Island one did not.

There was no plants section — just a small display of pre-made bouquets. It makes sense since most people in NYC don't have space to garden.

Both locations had Halloween decorations to choose from.

But there were some slight differences. This Mickey-shaped pumpkin was only for sale in NYC.

I found the Harlem costume selection to be similarly lacking.

Christmas stuff was out here, too.

The same ornaments I bought in Westbury were here, too — and for the same price.

There were the same separate rooms, like the produce room.

And the dairy, milk, and eggs room.

The meat and bakery sections were almost identical. I even spotted the "cake box" that Costco fans love.

This location had self-checkout, which I hadn't noticed at the Long Island store.

Overall, this store was smaller and lacked some items I'd seen in the suburbs, like big furniture, outdoor items, books, and plants. It makes sense that an urban store wouldn't stock most of these.

I'm seriously questioning my Costco membership now — I might keep it so I can get certain items shipped. But buying in bulk is difficult in NYC from both a transportation and storage perspective.